SEAT Leon (2013 – 2020): At A Glance

This is the third generation SEAT Leon. It builds on the reputation of of the previous two generations, by being good value for money and fun to drive, but has a higher quality interior and more attention to detail. It shares up to half of its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 and as a result uses a wide range of Volkswagen's latest petrol and diesel engines.

The Leon is available with the now familiar four-cylinder TDI and TSI units all featuring direct injection and turbocharging. The version powered by a 1.6 TDI diesel with 105PS is the cleanest model in the range (for the time being) and thanks to a start/stop system and brake energy regeneration it averages a claimed 74.3mpg with CO2 emissions at 99g/km meaning zero VED.

Out on the road, it's good to drive with sporty handling and good agility with the Leon FR getting a new SEAT Drive Profile which lets you vary the characteristics of the steering, throttle response and the engine sound via a sound actuator in the exhaust. Other new system include a drowsiness detection feature, Full Beam Assistant, which switches automatically between full and dipped beam and the ‘Heading Control’ lane-keeping assistant, which makes slight corrections to the steering to prevent the driver from crossing over lane markings.

SEAT has made big improvements inside, an area which has often been the focus of complaints on previous. The fit, finish and attention to detail as good as a Volkswagen Golf and better than many other cars in this sector. It's simple and unfussy and comes with a new 'Easy Connect' operating system, which controls the entertainment and communication function via a touch-sensitive screen.

SEAT Leon (2013 – 2020): What's It Like Inside?

Interior quality is one area that has often let the Leon and other SEATs down, but this isn't the case with the new car. The plastics have a better look and feel to them, there's a higher attention to detail and it has much more of an upmarket feel – especially on SE spec and above. It may not be quite up to the standards set by the latest Golf, but it's certainly better than a number of its rivals. With back-lit door handles and chrome surrounds on switches on higher models, you get the feeling that Audi hasn't been a stranger at SEAT's factory just outside Barcelona.

The new Leon is 4,260mm long, around five centimetres shorter than the outgoing model, but the wheelbase is longer by almost six centimetres. This is good news for interior space, particularly for rear seat passengers and at 380 litres, the boot has increased by 40 litres, too.

It's well kitted out, too, with SEAT promising not to offer any 'stripped-out' bargain basement specials. All cars get an LCD touch-screen display that's used for the car's sound-system and on higher-spec models it adds sat nav capability.

Specification highlights include Bluetooth and air con on S, cornering lights and 16-inch alloys on SE and dual-zone climate control and SEAT Drive Profile on FR. It''s also the first car of its sort to get 'maintenance-free' LED headlamps, but this is a £995 option (or £1740 when combined with sat nav) on SE and FR models and one that's unlikely to add any value from when you come to sell - after all the standard cars still come with lights.

FR models have 17-inch alloy wheels, redesigned front and rear bumpers, twin chrome exhaust pipes, dark tinted windows, front sports seats, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, LED tail lights, sports suspension and SEAT Drive Profile. This lets the driver alter the characteristic of the power steering, giving it more or less resistance, as well as the throttle sensitivity, and in DSG-equipped cars it alters the gear shift pattern.

Child seats that fit a SEAT Leon (2013 – 2020)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

What's the SEAT Leon (2013 – 2020) like to drive?

A big tick for Leon is a broad variety of engines from launch. Golf and A3 buyers have had to wait for a wider selection of engines, but Leon customers have them from the start. Those who cover lower mileages are catered for with a 1.2-litre TSI (105PS) and a 1.4-litre TSI (140PS). Both of these turbocharged engines are cracking; willing, great around town and more powerful than their meagre outputs suggests.

SEAT has been shifting more diesels than ever over the past few years, thanks in no small part to several large fleet deals (including one with British Gas). So, it's no surprise to see a good spread of diesels. The low CO2 option at launch is the 1.6 TDI with 99g/km CO2, but this will be replaced next year with a version that goes even lower.

It cruises well on the motorway, but with its power delivered low down, it's harder work around town. Most people will opt for the 2.0 TDI with 150PS. It strikes a great balance between economy and performance and, with a wide band of power, is good fun to drive out on the open road. Economy is quoted at 68.9mpg, which sounds impressive, but it will be interesting to see if this is the case when Real MPG results start to come in.

Then there are the engines that go in the sporty FR versions - a 1.8-litre TSI (180PS) for the petrol and a 2.0-litre TDI with 184PS. Both would easily pass as hot hatches in another manufacturer's range, but this is the starting point for sporty Leons. The four-cyinder diesel is especially noteworthy for its smooth wave of power and all-round refinement. Even more powerful Cupra models are likely to put in a appearance later next year.

Out on the road, it doesn't really matter which Leon you opt for, as they're all great to drive, with light responsive steering, good body control and agile handling. The new Leon is 90kg lighter before and that shines through.

There are two suspension set ups, depending on which engine you choose. Cars with less than 148PS get a standard set-up, whereas those with more power get a fully independent system and FR-badged cars have a lowered ride height and stiffer setting for better handling.

As you'd expect, the FRs are the firmest, but the ride is surprisingly comfortable. There may be a crash here and there on uneven roads, but they generally ride well and don't feel noticeably harsher than the other models in the range.

Real MPG average for a SEAT Leon (2013 – 2020)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

81%

Real MPG

27–73 mpg

MPGs submitted

787

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the SEAT Leon (2013 – 2020)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.

Ask HJ

Are catalytic converters easy for thieves to steal?

Is the catalytic converter on a 2014 SEAT Leon fairly easy to steal?

It's no easier than any other model really. Thieves tend to target easily identifiable hybrid cars - like the Toyota Prius. As well as being easier to identify, the catalytic converters on hybrid vehicles - which are powered by electric and petrol or diesel - are also used less frequently to remove pollutants. The metals are therefore less likely to corrode, which is another reason why they're more likely to be targeted for theft. The advice from police is to mark catalytic converters with a serial number to make it distinctive, install CCTV and alarms where possible and to park vehicles so as to prevent access underneath - however, thefts are more likely in built-up areas and cities anyway.
Try to park your car in a well-lit and well-populated area if possible and to park close to fences, walls or kerbs make the theft more difficult. If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can also ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove. You can also purchase devices that lock in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove too.